I always doubt claims like these until there is proof. There has been to many false reports over the course of the android timeline.
I did go back an go through the posts and find both posters had given screenshots. And they both match - all of the kernel info, build numbers and new layout of the side menu. There does appear to be truth to this...I am was wrong.
Looking at the kernel version number, it has a date of 11/30/2012, so these must have just installed on these devises and shipped out very quickly. Hopefully that Samsung Rep was right and it will be out no later than the end of this month. Funny...his Note 10.1 that he was carrying around was still on ICS, at least he is in the same boat with us.
Here are the posts with the screenshots if anyone is interested:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=35996172&postcount=8
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=36162824&postcount=138